During the 17th and 18th centuries no European country was better
placed than France to pursue the fine art of binding books. In particular,
the French kings and their next of kin distinguished themselves
as patrons and collectors of valuable works in exquisite bindings.
The book shown here is bound in dark red Maroquin leather and ornamented
with the crowned, gilded monogram »MTA« as well as a small
fleur-de-lis stamp. This means that it belonged to the library of
Marie Thérèse d'Autriche, the spouse of Louis XIV.
The binding's central ornament is the gilded alliance coat of arms
of France and Spain, for Marie Thérèse was the daughter
of King Philip IV of Spain.